How Incel Culture Contributes to Youth Violence
Incel culture—short for “involuntary celibate”—has grown from niche internet forums into something far more dangerous, contributing to a rise in youth violence, particularly against women. What starts as frustration over relationships (or the lack of them) quickly spirals into toxic misogyny, with young men being radicalised online into believing they are victims of a system that favours women. This resentment has, in some cases, led to violent attacks.
The Influence of Incels on Young People
Incels aren’t just a bunch of frustrated young men complaining online. Some of these communities idolise individuals who have carried out acts of extreme violence, like Elliot Rodger, who killed six people in 2014 before taking his own life. He left behind a manifesto blaming women for rejecting him—something that incel forums still glorify to this day. Young, impressionable boys, many of whom already feel isolated, can be drawn into these spaces, where hatred is encouraged, and violence is sometimes seen as a solution.
Netflix’s Adolescence and the Rise of Gendered Violence
Netflix’s new show Adolescence tackles exactly this issue. It follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, accused of murdering his classmate, Katie Leonard, and explores how online communities and societal pressures shape young minds. The show paints a chilling picture of how easily boys can be pulled into incel ideology, and it feels painfully relevant.
This got me wondering—are we seeing a rise in gendered violence among young people, particularly knife crime against girls? Statistically, boys are far more likely to be both perpetrators and victims of knife crime, but there have been cases where young men, influenced by incel beliefs, have specifically targeted women. Could this toxic mindset be bleeding into real-world violence even more than we realise?
Andrew Tate and the Normalisation of Misogyny
Then, there’s the Andrew Tate effect. Like him or not, his influence over young men is undeniable. He promotes an ultra-masculine, dominance-driven lifestyle, which at best teaches boys to be overconfident, and at worst, fuels outright misogyny. Schools across the UK are reporting boys quoting him, dismissing female teachers, and adopting aggressive attitudes towards girls. When you mix that mindset with the more extreme views in incel communities, it creates a dangerous cocktail of entitlement and resentment—one that, in some cases, can turn violent.
What Can Be Done?
This isn’t just an “internet problem.” The conversations happening in dark corners of the web are creeping into real life, influencing young people in ways we can’t ignore. Parents, schools, and communities need to step up. We need to teach boys about healthy relationships, challenge toxic masculinity, and create spaces where they feel heard without being radicalised.
I work with young people through the KnockOut Violence Project, and I see firsthand how vital it is to engage with them before they fall into these online rabbit holes. They need role models who can show them a different path—one built on respect, resilience, and positive masculinity.
The rise of incel culture and its link to youth violence is a wake-up call. If we don’t act now, we risk raising a generation of boys who see women as the enemy, and that’s a future none of us should accept.